Your union representatives have been locked in talks withLondon’s bus operators for four days this week.

We are making progress, but there is still some way to go and we’re not taking anything for granted.

Talks have adjourned today (Friday 6 July) but your union will be seeking further improvements over the weekend in anticipation of a final offer on Monday.

Unite will then hold a meeting with all union representatives the following day on Tuesday to report back and in turn update members in garages acrossLondonon Wednesday and Thursday next week.

As bus workers you are more united now then ever. So we urge you to continue to stand firm, shoulder-to-shoulder, as your union fights for a fair deal for your contribution to keepLondonmoving over the Olympic Games.

Union representative including conveners have been in talks with the 20 bus companies since Monday. Your union is making good progress, however as of tonight the strike is still on. Keep strong keep unified. We will provide a further update as soon as we have some more information.

We need all reps and activist to make sure we have a big turn out and a very very big yes vote. We need to show both the employer and the courts that when we voted yes to strike action we meant it. All reps and activists should:

Go around the canteen talk to members explaining the importance

of voting and voting yes.

Put up a poster reminding them to vote

Use the ballot to talk to and recruit non- members

Post: tell us how it is going.

If you need any help producing a poster contact your full time officer.

Well in fact none of us would give you any odds! We doubt they will be there – or if they do it will be just for the press. If we are proved wrong and they are serious about negoatiotons then fantastic. Make sure you tell the members this: The dispute could be resolved at a stroke if the operators negotiate meaningfully. Ask your boss – why will the employer not negoataite with your union?

Unite has called another two days of strike action Thursday July 5thand Tuesday July 24th. Last Friday was fantastic with 100s of pickets across the capital.

We now need to focus on next Thursday to repeat Friday’s success and show the bosses we mean business. It is essential all Unite reps and activists fight for the maximum unity before the strike and on the picket lines:

Reps and members should talk to the employees who crossed our picket lines; explain why the campaign is so important. Explain why they need to show the same unity as thousands of other bus workers across London.

Tell members not to listen to employers. They will try every trick in the book to break our unity.

Don’t let anyone sow disunity. There are people in every garage who will try and undermine our campaign. Don’t listen to them. Don’t let anyone else be influenced by them. Make sure you isolate your Ron Grasser.

Tell the members not to take any notice of the so called other unions, they have nothing to offer any bus worker but plenty to offer your bosses.

Make sure you follow the 5 guidelines about preparing for the strike day

If you have any problems at your garage don’t wait; contact your convener or fulltime officer for support.